Main Event

In the fight against the losses surrounding suicide, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago hosted the fourth annual Patrick J. Ryan Main Event on February 2 at Drury Lane in Oak Brook Terrace. Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan and his wife Marie established the fundraiser in 2015 after the loss of their son Patrick to suicide.

Boxing has been a family tradition for the Ryans since Jim Ryan Sr. won the Middleweight Golden Glove Championship in 1964. Sons John (chief of staff at Catholic Charities), Jim and Matt Ryan, all grew up with boxing in their lives.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Catholic Charities Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) program for children and youth. The free counseling program specifically addresses the unique needs and emotions that youth experience after losing a loved one to suicide.

“We are grateful to Jim and Marie Ryan and their family and all the guests who attended the record-breaking event,” says Monsignor Michael Boland, president and CEO of the Catholic service agency. “Without fundraisers like this, we couldn’t reach the children and families that so desperately need the critical support.”